(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread

[WDWKOOK]

Wilderness Lodge Beach Movie Schedule ~ 7:00PM

Sundays - Monsters, Inc.
Mondays - The Sword and the Stone
Tuesdays - The Lion King
Wednesdays - Finding Nemo
Thursdays - The Rescuers
Fridays - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Saturdays - Toy Story 3

We post the outdoor movie schedule for the Wilderness Lodge on the 1st of each month at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-outdoormovie.php#wilderness

Your site didn't have the movie schedule listed for a while - glad to see you're posting them again! Thanks.

very excited to check in for our 1st stay at VWL on 11/12!! Debating about online check in or not. We just cannot wait!! Thanks for such a great thread, DH and I have been reading it and just getting more and more excited!

You're welcome and I hope you and DH have a great first stay at VWL

Just got back from my walk to Fort Wilderness. I saw 4 does and 3 fawns along the way. One of the does just stood right on the edge of the path as I walked by. Poor little fawns fan off.

I have lived in lots of neighborhoods that decorate for the holidays but those folks at the camp grounds really do it up right. I couldn't believe how much stuff they brought with them and put up. Hope that someday I'm here at Christmas time to see what they do for that.

The wireless internet is working fine .... standard slow as most hotels are but I'm able to get on everytime I try.

Tonight is the last night of the Halloween fireworks so I'm going to try and catch that tonight. One of the cast members shared a good spot with me ... all of you experts probably already know about it but I'll let you know if it is any good.

I've decided I really don't need to checkout on Saturday .... I'll just stay!

Aren't those trails great? I feel like I've really wandered off the beaten path when I'm there - until I catch a glimpse of reality and I'm pleasantly reminded that I'm still at WDW...

Getting close for me too......checking in on Nov. 13!!!

It won't be long now - have a wonderful vacation

All this is making me more excited for our 3rd stay at WL. 76 more days!

Wow, WL is getting refirbed again in 2012? Just seems like they just did it not long ago! Time flies, I'll be excited to see what they do with the rooms next. I love the headboards they have now with the switches built in to the headboard.

Yes, it's a full rehab of all the rooms, one floor at a time, which may take a couple of years.

 

[MMrules]

107 Days til I get a 2 night stay at the lodge!!!

We will be moving to the BWV after so I am not sure how I will like a split stay (or BWV) but any time at the lodge works for me!!! We are sharing our DVC w/my niece who is graduating from HS so we picked the BWV for nighttime and Epcot for her. My next family trip I am going to try to get in at WLV

 

[nathanyell]

That's an easy one: Being upgraded to the Presidential Suite for 11 nights - it's going to be hard to beat that memory!

Yeah when I saw those pics I was amazed myself! I want that upgrade.

Brian

 

[nathanyell]

Just wanted to join in- 1st trip without kids!!! Feb 4-9, 2011
20th anniversary, we have woods view and I just called and requested King bed north side. I don't know how much luck we will have with requests since plane arrival is 8:05pm. Oh well, really hoping for quiet with no delivery trucks!

Our adult only trip was Divine!!! Got upgraded to CL. We basically did not want to leave the Lodge. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Brian

 

[barbanm]

We are checking into the Wildernesss Lodge Villas on the 12th for a week stay. We have never stayed here before.. any tips or info about the resort we should know about? I know I am asking late but up until today we thought we were going to have to cancel the trip but it seems luck has come our way.. of course now I am going CRAZY with last minute planning!


Thanks

Barbara

 

[Mousemommy1]

255 days until our 1st stay at the Lodge!!!

 

[RobinHoodGirl]

Sadly it looks like we're pushing our October WDW trip back a few weeks due to me being in a wedding... On the plus side I do get to celebrate my birthday (for a 3rd time) in WDW and this time staying at WL And I get to be the same age as my favorite park too - I'll just say it's a "milestone" birthday

Been sending my BF photos of WDW and WL to get him excited since it's his first trip ever there.

 

[twinmom2002]

Getting close for me too......checking in on Nov. 13!!!

Us too!!

 

[twinmom2002]

Are there any benefits to NOT checking in online? Any better chance of an upgrade doing regular check in? Is there more informtion about the resort etc?

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are checking into the Wildernesss Lodge Villas on the 12th for a week stay. We have never stayed here before.. any tips or info about the resort we should know about? I know I am asking late but up until today we thought we were going to have to cancel the trip but it seems luck has come our way.. of course now I am going CRAZY with last minute planning!


Thanks

Barbara

I would suggest doing the Lodge Tour they offer in the morning and asking at check-in if there is an opening during your stay to be the Flag Family. The Flag Family raises the flags atop the Lodge in the morning - what a view!

I hope you enjoy your first VWL stay

255 days until our 1st stay at the Lodge!!!

And, only 75 days until ADRs!

Sadly it looks like we're pushing our October WDW trip back a few weeks due to me being in a wedding... On the plus side I do get to celebrate my birthday (for a 3rd time) in WDW and this time staying at WL And I get to be the same age as my favorite park too - I'll just say it's a "milestone" birthday

Been sending my BF photos of WDW and WL to get him excited since it's his first trip ever there.

What a great way to spend your, ummmm, 29th birthday

Us too!!

Are there any benefits to NOT checking in online? Any better chance of an upgrade doing regular check in? Is there more informtion about the resort etc?

I never do online check-in for two reasons. We usually stay CL so there's no point to it and when we don't stay CL, I prefer to be able to make adjustments, if needed, to our assigned room location. In order to do that with online check-in, I believe you would have to get into the "regular" line to speak with a CM/room assignor who could do that. I'm really in no hurry to get the check-in process over with. I actually enjoy walking up to the desk and doing the whole check-in process from start to finish and it also makes me feel more in control of the check-in process.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I never do online check-in for two reasons. We usually stay CL so there's no point to it and when we don't stay CL, I prefer to be able to make adjustments, if needed, to our assigned room location. In order to do that with online check-in, I believe you would have to get into the "regular" line to speak with a CM/room assignor who could do that. I'm really in no hurry to get the check-in process over with. I actually enjoy walking up to the desk and doing the whole check-in process from start to finish and it also makes me feel more in control of the check-in process.

I agree with WDWKOOK - I enjoy the check-in process, chatting with the CM etc. and if a room location change is needed, it is more appropriate to do so at the regular check-in line. While online check-in can make room changes, that line is supposed to be a way to streamline the process, therefore CM's do prefer the regular check-in line to be used by guests who have definite room location preferences and may require changes.

Would sure like to be checking in later this month to enjoy the beginning of the Holiday Season!

 

[Sue M]

I never do online check-in for two reasons. We usually stay CL so there's no point to it and when we don't stay CL, I prefer to be able to make adjustments, if needed, to our assigned room location. In order to do that with online check-in, I believe you would have to get into the "regular" line to speak with a CM/room assignor who could do that. I'm really in no hurry to get the check-in process over with. I actually enjoy walking up to the desk and doing the whole check-in process from start to finish and it also makes me feel more in control of the check-in process.[/QUOTE]


Me too! I love the ritual of checking in, so have never used on line check in And at WL haven't had any line to speak of.

 

[MMrules]

The last few times I did online check in and it didn't really seem to matter. I still had to wait in a line, the person in front of me asked about 100 questions, and it took a long time. So this time I will not be using on-line!

 

[nathanyell]

We are checking into the Wilderness Lodge Villas on the 12th for a week stay. We have never stayed here before.. any tips or info about the resort we should know about? I know I am asking late but up until today we thought we were going to have to cancel the trip but it seems luck has come our way.. of course now I am going CRAZY with last minute planning!


Thanks

Barbara

Make sure if you want any room requests to call and add them to your reservation in the next few days. Room start getting blocked about 5 days out from what I have heard. I've never stayed over at the Villas, but I know others have.

255 days until our 1st stay at the Lodge!!!

It will go by so fast!! My DD is 8 months and it has flown by.

Sadly it looks like we're pushing our October WDW trip back a few weeks due to me being in a wedding... On the plus side I do get to celebrate my birthday (for a 3rd time) in WDW and this time staying at WL And I get to be the same age as my favorite park too - I'll just say it's a "milestone" birthday

November trips are awesome. And you might get to see some of the Christmas decorations go up!!!

Been sending my BF photos of WDW and WL to get him excited since it's his first trip ever there.

Such a great idea. I did that for a friend I planned a trip for, she thought it was awesome because it got her slowly excited about it!

Are there any benefits to NOT checking in online? Any better chance of an upgrade doing regular check in? Is there more information about the resort etc?

I stand with the it does not matter crowd. I've been upgraded both ways. I did miss the interaction with the CM. The online check-in person seemed to just be about getting people out of her line. There was not really any warmth to her.

Brian

 

[Sue M]

The last few times I did online check in and it didn't really seem to matter. I still had to wait in a line, the person in front of me asked about 100 questions, and it took a long time. So this time I will not be using on-line!

IMO, that person should have used regular check in. I agree, don't see much benefit to on line check in, as people seem to think it's a full service check in.
I check in when we arrive, and it seems that the on line check in lines are longer.

 

[bjgrazi]

Last time we used on line check in for CBR, when we got off the bus another family got off with us. I said to my husband you grab our stuff, I'll go get in line.

I go walking up to where you have to check in and the Mom from the other family rushes and pushes ahead of me. The CM at the desk watched this along with a Manager. The manager calls me over and changes our room and gave us a prime room near everything. I was thanked for being nice when faced with rudeness. I still got out of there faster than the other family. I think they moved slowly on purpose.

Now I have a question, has anyone ever been upgraded to larger Villa or put in a hotel room over a studio villa?

Also I'm happy to say I just ordered our park passes.

 

[nathanyell]

When I stayed at CSR there were quite a few families getting off of DME at the same time, we all did online check-in, so were in one line. I think that if I had not used it in this case it would have been faster.

I'll see how the next trip goes. We're using DME again.

Brian

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Presidential Suite for 11 nights - it's going to be hard to beat that memory!

OH, I hear you on that one! We LOVED that suite!
And it was during the holidays too! Wish it had a fireplace like the Presidential and VP suites at AKL though.
Guess I'll be hanging out here and the RCs thread, as we're thinking of adding one of the WL suites onto our May trip! I kissed DH all over when he suggested it!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the WL CL!!!!! Definitely a much better CL over the PolyCL and AKL CL!

Nathanyell, so excited for you and others going to the WL for the holidays!

 

[WDWKOOK]

OH, I hear you on that one! We LOVED that suite!
And it was during the holidays too! Wish it had a fireplace like the Presidential and VP suites at AKL though.
Guess I'll be hanging out here and the RCs thread, as we're thinking of adding one of the WL suites onto our May trip! I kissed DH all over when he suggested it!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the WL CL!!!!! Definitely a much better CL over the PolyCL and AKL CL!

Nathanyell, so excited for you and others going to the WL for the holidays!

It's funny because before our last trip, I kept trying to book a WL Deluxe room, but it was never available with our military RO discount and I subsequently discovered it was not ever going to be included in the discount, so I gave up. If we had booked the Deluxe room, we would never have had the leaky ceiling which led to our being moved right next door to the Pres. Suite. You're right that it should have a fireplace - perfect theming.

The WL CL really impressed us a lot, too. DD and I stayed last Christmas and we loved it. When DH returned from AFG and I booked it for our last trip, I was worried that the quality might have gone down, but it didn't and now DH doesn't really want to stay anywhere else.

That's why I'm having trouble booking our 25th anniversary trip for July because we want to try a couple of other CLs, like BWI and RPC, but we're worried we might not like them as well as WL. Sorry, that's all for the Resort Changer's thread, isn't it?

 

[JimS4210]

Hi all,

My wife and I are staying at the WL the end of January. We're DVC members and have stayed at the Villas a few times, but this time we decided to splurge. We're staying concierge level and booked a honeymoon suite. This will be a much needed relaxing vacation for us. No kids!! We won't be in park commando mode, just gonna take it easy and do whatever we feel like doing. Has anyone ever stayed in the Honeymoon Suites? Which floor are they on? How's the view? Full balcony or not? Any info is greatly appreciated!

Jim